used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He went to the door and opened it to let in Bernard, while Laura, with her back turned at the dressing-table, set about restoring a semblance of calm to her features.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He went to the door and opened it to let in Bernard, while Laura, with her back turned at the dressing-table, set about restoring a semblance of calm to her features.
anew
From this reading “And now, sir, may I ask when I shall be allowed to get possession of my belongings again?”
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading “And now, sir, may I ask when I shall be allowed to get possession of my belongings again?”
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I am sure you would understand if you only knew my story.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He went to the door and opened it to let in Bernard, while Laura, with her back turned at the dressing-table, set about restoring a semblance of calm to her features.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He looked Bernard full in the face as he spoke, with the same ironical smile on his lips as before.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “And now, sir, may I ask when I shall be allowed to get possession of my belongings again?”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He went to the door and opened it to let in Bernard, while Laura, with her back turned at the dressing-table, set about restoring a semblance of calm to her features.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He went to the door and opened it to let in Bernard, while Laura, with her back turned at the dressing-table, set about restoring a semblance of calm to her features.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “And now, sir, may I ask when I shall be allowed to get possession of my belongings again?”
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He looked Bernard full in the face as he spoke, with the same ironical smile on his lips as before.
belongingsnounUS /bɪˈlɔːŋɪŋz/
something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone
From this reading “And now, sir, may I ask when I shall be allowed to get possession of my belongings again?”
BernardnounUS /bərˈnɑːrd/
French physiologist noted for research on secretions of the alimentary canal and the glycogenic function of the liver (1813-1878)
From this reading He went to the door and opened it to let in Bernard, while Laura, with her back turned at the dressing-table, set about restoring a semblance of calm to her features.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “As soon as you please, sir; but at the same time, I feel obliged to confess that I shall certainly feel the loss of your belongings a good deal more than you do.
make calm or still
From this reading He went to the door and opened it to let in Bernard, while Laura, with her back turned at the dressing-table, set about restoring a semblance of calm to her features.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading “As soon as you please, sir; but at the same time, I feel obliged to confess that I shall certainly feel the loss of your belongings a good deal more than you do.
confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading “As soon as you please, sir; but at the same time, I feel obliged to confess that I shall certainly feel the loss of your belongings a good deal more than you do.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading “As soon as you please, sir; but at the same time, I feel obliged to confess that I shall certainly feel the loss of your belongings a good deal more than you do.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “As soon as you please, sir; but at the same time, I feel obliged to confess that I shall certainly feel the loss of your belongings a good deal more than you do.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading He went to the door and opened it to let in Bernard, while Laura, with her back turned at the dressing-table, set about restoring a semblance of calm to her features.
dressing-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He went to the door and opened it to let in Bernard, while Laura, with her back turned at the dressing-table, set about restoring a semblance of calm to her features.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He looked Bernard full in the face as he spoke, with the same ironical smile on his lips as before.
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading He went to the door and opened it to let in Bernard, while Laura, with her back turned at the dressing-table, set about restoring a semblance of calm to her features.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading “As soon as you please, sir; but at the same time, I feel obliged to confess that I shall certainly feel the loss of your belongings a good deal more than you do.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading He looked Bernard full in the face as he spoke, with the same ironical smile on his lips as before.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading “And now, sir, may I ask when I shall be allowed to get possession of my belongings again?”
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading “As soon as you please, sir; but at the same time, I feel obliged to confess that I shall certainly feel the loss of your belongings a good deal more than you do.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He went to the door and opened it to let in Bernard, while Laura, with her back turned at the dressing-table, set about restoring a semblance of calm to her features.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He went to the door and opened it to let in Bernard, while Laura, with her back turned at the dressing-table, set about restoring a semblance of calm to her features.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He looked Bernard full in the face as he spoke, with the same ironical smile on his lips as before.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “And now, sir, may I ask when I shall be allowed to get possession of my belongings again?”
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I am sure you would understand if you only knew my story.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He went to the door and opened it to let in Bernard, while Laura, with her back turned at the dressing-table, set about restoring a semblance of calm to her features.
ironicaladjectiveUS /aɪˈrɑːnɪkəl/
characterized by often poignant difference or incongruity between what is expected and what actually is
From this reading He looked Bernard full in the face as he spoke, with the same ironical smile on his lips as before.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He went to the door and opened it to let in Bernard, while Laura, with her back turned at the dressing-table, set about restoring a semblance of calm to her features.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I am sure you would understand if you only knew my story.
Laura
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He went to the door and opened it to let in Bernard, while Laura, with her back turned at the dressing-table, set about restoring a semblance of calm to her features.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading He went to the door and opened it to let in Bernard, while Laura, with her back turned at the dressing-table, set about restoring a semblance of calm to her features.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading He looked Bernard full in the face as he spoke, with the same ironical smile on his lips as before.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He looked Bernard full in the face as he spoke, with the same ironical smile on his lips as before.
something that is lost
From this reading “As soon as you please, sir; but at the same time, I feel obliged to confess that I shall certainly feel the loss of your belongings a good deal more than you do.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading “And now, sir, may I ask when I shall be allowed to get possession of my belongings again?”
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading “As soon as you please, sir; but at the same time, I feel obliged to confess that I shall certainly feel the loss of your belongings a good deal more than you do.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “And now, sir, may I ask when I shall be allowed to get possession of my belongings again?”
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “And now, sir, may I ask when I shall be allowed to get possession of my belongings again?”
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading “As soon as you please, sir; but at the same time, I feel obliged to confess that I shall certainly feel the loss of your belongings a good deal more than you do.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He went to the door and opened it to let in Bernard, while Laura, with her back turned at the dressing-table, set about restoring a semblance of calm to her features.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He looked Bernard full in the face as he spoke, with the same ironical smile on his lips as before.
and nothing more
From this reading I am sure you would understand if you only knew my story.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading He went to the door and opened it to let in Bernard, while Laura, with her back turned at the dressing-table, set about restoring a semblance of calm to her features.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading “As soon as you please, sir; but at the same time, I feel obliged to confess that I shall certainly feel the loss of your belongings a good deal more than you do.
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading “And now, sir, may I ask when I shall be allowed to get possession of my belongings again?”
restoringverbUS /rɪˈstɔːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “restore” — return to its original or usable and functioning condition
From this reading He went to the door and opened it to let in Bernard, while Laura, with her back turned at the dressing-table, set about restoring a semblance of calm to her features.
Identical; not different.
From this reading He looked Bernard full in the face as he spoke, with the same ironical smile on his lips as before.
semblancenounUS /ˈsembləns/
an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleading
From this reading He went to the door and opened it to let in Bernard, while Laura, with her back turned at the dressing-table, set about restoring a semblance of calm to her features.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He went to the door and opened it to let in Bernard, while Laura, with her back turned at the dressing-table, set about restoring a semblance of calm to her features.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading “And now, sir, may I ask when I shall be allowed to get possession of my belongings again?”
term of address for a man
From this reading “And now, sir, may I ask when I shall be allowed to get possession of my belongings again?”
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading He looked Bernard full in the face as he spoke, with the same ironical smile on his lips as before.
in the near future
From this reading “As soon as you please, sir; but at the same time, I feel obliged to confess that I shall certainly feel the loss of your belongings a good deal more than you do.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading He looked Bernard full in the face as he spoke, with the same ironical smile on his lips as before.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading I am sure you would understand if you only knew my story.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading I am sure you would understand if you only knew my story.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading “As soon as you please, sir; but at the same time, I feel obliged to confess that I shall certainly feel the loss of your belongings a good deal more than you do.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “As soon as you please, sir; but at the same time, I feel obliged to confess that I shall certainly feel the loss of your belongings a good deal more than you do.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He went to the door and opened it to let in Bernard, while Laura, with her back turned at the dressing-table, set about restoring a semblance of calm to her features.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading “As soon as you please, sir; but at the same time, I feel obliged to confess that I shall certainly feel the loss of your belongings a good deal more than you do.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He went to the door and opened it to let in Bernard, while Laura, with her back turned at the dressing-table, set about restoring a semblance of calm to her features.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading He went to the door and opened it to let in Bernard, while Laura, with her back turned at the dressing-table, set about restoring a semblance of calm to her features.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading I am sure you would understand if you only knew my story.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He went to the door and opened it to let in Bernard, while Laura, with her back turned at the dressing-table, set about restoring a semblance of calm to her features.
at the time that
From this reading “And now, sir, may I ask when I shall be allowed to get possession of my belongings again?”
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He went to the door and opened it to let in Bernard, while Laura, with her back turned at the dressing-table, set about restoring a semblance of calm to her features.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He went to the door and opened it to let in Bernard, while Laura, with her back turned at the dressing-table, set about restoring a semblance of calm to her features.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I am sure you would understand if you only knew my story.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “As soon as you please, sir; but at the same time, I feel obliged to confess that I shall certainly feel the loss of your belongings a good deal more than you do.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “As soon as you please, sir; but at the same time, I feel obliged to confess that I shall certainly feel the loss of your belongings a good deal more than you do.
